Crotch-shaped diaper and method

ABSTRACT

A disposable diaper comprising, an absorbent pad assembly having a pair of side edges, a front surface, and a back surface. The diaper has a fluid impervious backing sheet having a pair of side edges and a width greater than the width of the pad assembly. The backing sheet covers the back surface of the pad assembly and has lateral side margins extending past the side edges of the pad assembly, the side margins of the backing sheet being folded over and secured to the front of the diaper with the side edges of the backing sheet being located in the proximity of the side edges of the pad assembly. The folded over side margins define side panels of the diaper which have recessed portions in the crotch region of the diaper to fit an infant&#39;&#39;s legs. The side panels are folded over and secured to the front surface of the pad assembly in the crotch region of the diaper.

United States Patent [191 Karami CROTCH-SHAPED DIAPER AND METHOD [75]Inventor: Hamzeh Karami, Crystal Lake, 111.

[73] Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company, New

York, NY.

[22] Filed: Sept. 27, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 509,978

[52] US. Cl 128/287; 128/284; l28/290R [51] Int. Cl. A61F 13/16; A41B13/02 [58] Field of Search..... 128/284, 287, 290 R, 290 P [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,122,417 7/1938 Fridolph 128/2843,386,442 6/1968 Sabee 128/287 3,461,871 8/1969 Foote 128/284 3,509,8815/1970 Sabee 128/287 3,559,648 2/1971 Mason, Jr. 128/287 3,626,94412/1971 Schaar 128/287 3,721,242 3/1973 Krusko 128/287 3,730,184 5/1973128/287 3,741,213 6/1973 128/287 3,776,234 12/1973 Hoey 128/2873,814,100 6/1974 Nystrand 128/287 Primary Examiner-Aldrich F. MedberyAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Powell L. Sprunger [57] ABSTRACT A disposablediaper comprising, an absorbent pad assembly having a pair of sideedges, a front surface, and a back surface. The diaper has a fluidimpervious backing sheet having a pair of side edges and a width greaterthan the width of the pad assembly. The backing sheet covers the backsurface of the pad assembly and has lateral side margins extending pastthe side edges of the pad assembly, the side margins of the backingsheet being folded over and secured to the front of the diaper with theside edges of the backing sheet being located in the proximity of theside edges of the pad assembly. The folded over side margins define sidepanels of the diaper which have recessed portions in the crotch regionof the diaper to fit an infants legs. The side panels are folded overand secured to the front surface of the pad assembly in the crotchregion of the diaper.

25 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 18, 1975 3,920,017

CROTCI-I-SHAPED DIAPER AND METHOD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thepresent invention relates to absorbent articles, and more particularlyto disposable diapers.

A various assortment of disposable diapers have been proposed in thepast for use on infants. Such diapers may usually be placed in twocategories: (a) diapers having a rectangular shape and which may bepartially unfolded when placed on the infant; and (b) diapers having acontoured shape to provide a better fit of the infant. Generally, it hasbeen found difficult to provide the rectangular diapers with acomfortable fit for the infant, particularly in the crotch and thighregions of the diaper, while the contoured diapers are often difficultto manufacture. In many cases, the irregular shape of the contoureddiapers requires the use of complex and high-precision machinery toproduce such diapers in high volume, thus adding to the cost of thediapers to the consumer. Moreover, it is desirable that contoureddiapers prevent leakage when worn, and particularly in the crotch regionof the diapers where fluid transmission to the diapers is at itsgreatest.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A principle feature of the present invention isthe provision of a diaper of simplified construction providing animproved fit for an infant.

The diaper of the present invention comprises an absorbent pad assemblyhaving a pair of side edges, a front surface and a back surface. Thediaper has a fluid impervious backing sheet having a pair of side edgesand a width greater than the width of the pad assembly. The backingsheet covers the back surface of the pad assembly and has lateral sidemargins extending past the side edges of the pad assembly. The sidemargins of the backing sheet are folded over and secured to the frontsurface of the pad assembly, with the folded over side margins definingside panels of the diaper. The side panels have recessed portions in thecrotch region of the diaper, and side flaps of the diaper may be foldedover and secured to the front surface of the pad assembly.

Thus, a feature of the invention is that the recessed portions of theside panels provide a contoured shape of the diaper in the crotch regionto fit the irregular contour of an infants legs.

Another feature of the invention is that the diaper has a reduced bulkin the crotch region providing a more comfortable fit of the diaper forthe infant.

Yet another feature of the invention is that the diaper providesretaining panels of the backing sheet extending from side edges of thepad assembly for placement around the infants waist, thus providing animproved fit of the diaper in the infants waist region.

Yet another feature of the invention is that the diaper has fluidimpervious barrier means overlying the pad assembly in the crotch regionto prevent leakage from the diaper.

A feature of the invention is that a reduced amount of fluid pervioustop sheet and absorbent material is used in the pad assembly.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a method for makinga contoured diaper in a simplified manner.

2 Further features will become more fully apparent in the followingdescription of the embodiments of this invention and from the appendedclaims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a diaper of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially as indicatedalong the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 35, and 7 are fragmentary plan views illustrating configurationsof the diaper during formation of the diaper on FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view, taken in section, of the diaper of FIG. 1being further folded to provide another embodiment of the diaper of thepresent inventron.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 1-2,there is shown a disposable diaper generally designated 20 having anabsorbent pad 22 and a fluid impervious backing sheet 24. The absorbentpad may have a rectangular shape, with a pair of side edges 26a and 26b,a pair of end edges 28a and 28b connecting the side edges 26a and b, anda back surface 30. The pad 22 may have a fluid pervious top sheet 32covering the front of the absorbent pad and defining a front surface 34for the pad. The diaper 20 has a pair of waistband portions 36a and 36badjacent end edges 38a and 38b of the diaper, and a crotch portion 40therebetween.

The backing sheet 24 has a greater width than the absorbent pad 22, andas illustrated in FIGS. l-3, the backing sheet covers the back surface30 of the absorbent pad, with lateral side margins 42a and 42b of thebacking sheet extending past the side edges 26a and b of the pad 22. Theside margins 42a and b of the backing sheet are folded over along foldlines 44a and 44b, and edge portions 46a and 46b of the side margins 42aand b are secured to the front surface of the pad assem bly, such thatside edges 48a and 48b of the backing sheet are located intermediate theside edges 26a and b of the pad 22. The folded over side margins 42a andb define fluid impervious side panels 50a and 50b of the diaper, and thefold lines 44a and b define side edges of the side panels 50 a and b. Itis apparent that the fluid impervious edge portions 46a and b of theside margins 42a and b provide a fluid barrier adjacent the side edgesof the absorbent pad 22 to prevent leakage from i the pad.

The side panels 50a and b are cut along pairs of slits 52a and 52b fromthe side edges 44a and b of the side panels toward the absorbent pad 22,as shown, with the inner ends 60 of the slits 52a and b being spacedfrom the side edges 26a and b of the pad 22. The slits 52a and b arelocated intermediate the longitudinal midpoint of the diaper and the endedges 38a and b of the diaper, and preferably intermediate the crotchregion 40 and end edges 38a and b of the diaper. Preferably, the slits52a and b define obtuse angles with the side edges 44a and b of the sidepanels 50a and b taken intermediate the slits and end edges of thediaper. The flaps 54a and 54b defined by the slits 52a and b in the sidepanels 50 a and b, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, may be folded alongfold lines 53a and 53b over the front surface of the pad assembly. Ifdesired, the flaps 54a and b may be secured in place on top of the padas- :aembly by suitable securing means 56a and 56b, such as adhesive.Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, second slits 58 may be made in theside panels 50a and b between the inner ends 60 of the slits 52a and band along the side edges 26a and b of the pad 22, such that the slits 58and 52a and b extend around portions removed from the side panels anddefine cut-out portions 62 in the crotch region of the diaper. In eitherevent, the cut-out portions 62 or folded over flaps 54a and b definerecessed or displaced portions 64 of the side panels to provide acontour and improved fit of the diaper in the crotch region.

The side panels are also provided with barrier means to prevent leakagethrough the slits. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3-5, theside panels 50a and b have longitudinally extending securement lines 66aand 66b adjacent the side edges 26a and b of the absorbent pad 22. Thelines 66a and b are located intermediate the side edges 26a and b of thepad and the slits 52a and b or 58 to isolate the pad from the slits andprevent leakage from the pad through the slits. In a preferred form, thelines 66a and b comprise heat seal lines through the fluid imperviousside panels, or lines of adhesive between the doubled side panels, asdesired. Alternatively, the outer longitudinal ends of the lines mayfollow the slits 52a and b with lines 66a and b, as shown in FIG. 4.Thus, in the latter embodiment the sealing lines follow along the edgesof the slits S8 and 52a and b. In either event, the sealing linesprevent leakage through the slits in the side panels.

.An alternative embodiment of the diaper is illustrated in FIG. 7, inwhich like reference numerals designate like parts. In this embodimentthe side and end edges of the absorbent pad define a generally hourglass configuration of the pad, such that the pad has a pair of opposedsections 57 extending into the side panels 50a and b adjacent thewaistband portions 36a and b. Thus, the sections 57 of the pad provideadditional bulk to the side panels in the waistband portions, if needed,and may transmit liquid into pockets defined by the backing sheet inthese regions of the diaper for retention therein.

if desired, the diaper as shown and described in connection with FIGS.l5, and 7 may be used on an infant. This diaper has edge portions 46aand b of the backing sheet covering side margins of the absorbent pad toprovide fluid impervious barriers adjacent the side edges 26a and b ofthe pad 22. In addition, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, thefluid impervious flaps 54a and b provide an additional fluid imperviousbarrier in the crotch region of the diaper. The diaper has a relativelynarrow top sheet and an absorbent pad of reduced dimensions, thusreducing the cost of the diaper. The recessed portions 64 of the sidepanels in the crotch region provide an improved fit of the dia per aboutthe infants legs when worn. Additionally, the diaper has a pair ofdoubled retaining panels 68a and 68b of the backing sheet 24 extendingfrom opposed sides of the pad 22 in both waistband portions 360 and b ofthe diaper 20. When the diaper is placed on the infant, the retainingpanels 680 and b extend around the waist of the infant. The retainingpanels in the diaper of FIGS. 1-5 are extremely flexible due to theabsence of absorbent material in the retaining panels, thus providing anexcellent fit of the diaper in the infants waist region, andfacilitating securement of the diaper about the infant. As shown in FIG.1, the diaper may have conventional securing strips 700 and b extendingfrom 4 the retaining panels 680 and b for securing the diaper about theinfant during placement.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the side panels 50a and bare folded over the front surface of the pad assembly alonglongitudinally extending fold lines 72a and 72b. The fold lines 72a andb are preferably located intermediate the side edges 26a and b fo theabsorbent pad 22, such that the fold lines define longitudinallyextending edge panels or flaps 74a and 74b which overlie the frontsurface 34 of a longitudinally extending central panel 76 of the pad 22intermediate the fold lines 72a and b. The edge panels 74a and b aresecured to the front surface 34 of the central panel 76 by suitablemeans 78a and 78b, such as adhesive, in the crotch portion of thediaper.

As thus formed, the diaper of FIG. 6 has side margins of the absorbentpad secured in overlying relationship to the central panel 76 of theabsorbent pad 22. The

backing sheet provides a fluid impervious outer or back surface of theedge panels 74a and b relative the front surface 34 of the pad 22, andthe edge portions 46a and b and flaps 54a and b provide a double sealingbarrier of the backing sheet intermediate the edge panels 74a and b andthe front surface 34 of the central panel 76. Thus, leakage and wickingis prevented from the side edges 26a and b of the absorbent pad by thebacking sheet, and particularly in the crotch region 40 of the diaperwhere fluid transmission to the diaper is at its greatest.

In use of the diaper, the retaining panels 68a and b extending from theedge panels 74a and b in the waistband portion of the diaper areunfolded preparatory to placement of the diaper on the infant. The edgepanels 74a and b are retained by the securing means 78a and b to thefront surface 34 of the central panel 76 in the crotch region 40 of thediaper, while the recessed portions 64 provide a contoured fit of theedge panels 74a and b about the infant's legs. In addition, the flexibleretaining panels 68a and b fit comfortably about the waistline of theinfant. The diaper of FIG. 6 thus provides an improved fit in the crotchand waist regions of the infant, and may be made in a simplified manner.Moreover, the diaper provides less bulk in the crotch region for addedcomfort to the infant, while preventing leakage in the crotch region dueto the fluid barriers of the backing sheet about the edge panels 74a andb.

A method of making the diaper of the present invention has beendescribed in connection with the diapers of FIGS. l6. According to themethod, the back surface of the absorbent pad is covered with a fluidimpervious backing sheet having a greater width than the pad. Next,lateral side margins of the backing sheet are folded alonglongitudinally extending fold lines intermediate side edges of the padand side edges of the backing sheet. The edge portions of the foldedside margins are secured to the front surface of the pad adjacent itsside edges, and both of the folded side margins are slitted intermediatethe crotch region and endedges of the diaper from the fold lines towardthe side edges of the pad, defining recessed portions of the folded sidemargins. A barrier is then provided in the folded side marginsintermediate the side edges of the pad and the slits to prevent leakagefrom the pad through the slits. Edge panels are preferably folded overthe front surface of the pad along spaced longitudinally extending foldlines in the pad, with the edge panels being secured to the frontsurface of said pad intermediate the spaced fold lines.

The foregoing detailed description is given for clearness ofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A disposable diaper, comprising:

an absorbent pad assembly having a pair of side edges, a front surface,and a back surface;

a fluid impervious backing sheet having a pair of side edges and a widthgreater than the width of said pad assembly, said backing sheet coveringthe back surface of the pad assembly and having lateral side marginsextending past the side edges of the pad assembly, said side margins ofthe backing sheet being folded over and secured to the front of thediaper with the side edges of the backing sheet being located in theproximity of the side edges of the pad assembly and with the folded overside margins defining side panels of the diaper, said side panels havingrecessed portions in the crotch region of the diaper for conformabilityof the diaper to the shape of the infants legs, said side panels withsaidrecessed portions each being folded over and secured to the frontsurface of the pad assembly in the crotch region of the diaper. I

2. The diaper of claim 1 wherein said pad assembly includes a fluidpervious top sheet extending between the side edges of the absorbent padassembly.

3. The diaper of claim 1 wherein edge portions of said backing sheetadjacent its side edges overlie the front surface of the pad assembly.

4. The diaper of claim 3 wherein said edge portions are secured to thefront surface of said pad assembly.

5. The diaper of claim 1 including barrier means in said side panelspreventing leakage through said recessed portions.

6. The diaper of claim 5 wherein said barrier means comprises heat seallines in said side panels.

7. The diaper of claim 5 wherein said barrier means comprises sealingmeans in said side panels extending along the side edges of said padassembly.

8. The diaper of claim 5 wherein said barrier means comprises sealingmeans extending along edges defined by said recessed portions.

9. The diaper of claim 1 wherein said pad assembly includes an absorbentpad having a generally rectangular shape.

10. The diaper of claim 1 wherein the pad assembly includes an absorbentpad having a pair of opposed sections extending into said side panelsadjacent longitudinal ends of the diaper.

11. The diaper of claim 1 wherein said side panels have a pair of sideedges, and each of the side panels has a pair of spaced slits extendingfrom the side edges of the side panels toward the pad assembly with theinner ends of said slits being spaced from the side edges of the padassembly, said slits at least partially defining said recessed portionsof the side panels.

1 12. The diaper of claim 11 wherein said diaper has a pair of end edgesconnecting the side edges of the side panels, and each of said slits islocated intermediate the longitudinal mid-point and an end edge of thediaper.

13. The diaper of claim 11 wherein said diaper has a pair of end edgesconnecting the side edges of the side panels, and said slits defineobtuse angles with the side edges of the side panels taken intermediatethe slits and end edges of the diaper.

14. The diaper of claim 11 wherein said side panels include a secondslit extending between the inner ends of said spaced slits, said spacedand second slits defining cut-out portions in the crotch region of thediaper.

15. The diaper of claim 11 wherein said spaced slits define flaps insaid side panels, with said flaps being folded over the front surface ofthe pad assembly.

16. The diaper of claim 1 wherein said side panels are folded alonglongitudinally extending fold lines in the diaper, and said fold linesare located intermediate the side edges of the absorbent pad assembly.

17. The diaper of claim 1 wherein said folded over side panels comprisea pair of side flaps including a portion of said pad assembly.

18. A disposable diaper, comprising:

a generally rectancular absorbent pad assembly having a pair of'sideedges, a front surface, and a back surface; a generally rectangularbacking sheet having a pair of side edges and a width greater than thewidth of the pad assembly, said backing sheet covering the back surfaceof the pad assembly and having lateral side margins extending past theside edges of the pad assembly, said side margins comprising a doublelayer of fluid impervious sheet and having edge portions adjacent theside edges of the backing sheet secured to the front surface of the padassembly, said double side margins defining side panels of the backingsheet extending on opposed sides of the pad assembly, said side panelshaving a pair of spaced slits intermediate the crotch region and endedges of the diaper at least partially defining displaced portions inthe crotch region of the diaper generally conforming to the contour ofan infants legs;

barrier means in the side panels preventing leakage through saiddisplaced portions;

said side panels with said displaced portions being folded over thefront surface of the pad assembly and defining fluid receiving pockets;and

means for securing the side panels to the front surface of the padassembly in the crotch region of the diaper.

19. The diaper of claim 18 wherein said side panels include a secondslit extending between inner ends of said spaced slits and definingcut-out portions in the crotch region of the diaper.

20. The diaper of claim 18 wherein said spaced slits 50 define a pair offlaps in said side panels, said flaps being folded over the frontsurface of the pad assembly.

21. A disposable diaper, comprising:

an absorbent pad having a pair of side edges, a front surface, and aback surface, a pair of waistline portions, and a pair of opposedsections in said waistline portions; and

a fluid impervious backing sheet having a pair of side edges and a widthgreater than the width of said pad, said backing sheet covering the backsurface of the pad and having lateral side margins extending past theside edges of the pad, said side margins of the backing sheet beingfolded over and secured to the front of the diaper with the side edgesof the backing sheet being located in the proximity of the side edges ofthe pad and with the folded over side margins defining side panels ofthe diaper, said side panels having recessed portions in the crotchregion of the diaper for conformability of the diaper 7 to the shape ofthe infants legs, and said opposed sections of the pad extending intosaid side panels.

22. A disposable diaper, comprising:

an absorbent pad assembly having an absorbent pad, a pair of side edges,a pair of end edges connecting said side edges, a pair of waistbandportions adjacent said end edges and a crotch portion therebetween, alongitudinally extending central panel, and a pair of edge panels foldedover and secured to a front surface of the central panel in said crotchregion with lateral side margins of said pad extending into said edgepanels; and

a fluid impervious backing sheet covering a back surface of the centraland edge panels, said backing sheet extending past the side edges of theedge panels and covering at least a portion of the front surface of theedge panels intermediate the edge and central panels, said backing sheethaving a pair of doubled retaining panels extending from opposed sideedges of the edge panels in each of said waistband portions for securingthe diaper about an infant.

23. A method of making a disposable diaper, comprising the steps of:

covering the back surface of an absorbent pad means with a fluidimpervious backing sheet having a greater width than the pad means;

folding lateral side margins of the backing sheet along longitudinallyextending fold lines intermedi- 8 ate side edges of the pad means andside edges of the backing sheet;

securing edge portions of the folded side margins to a front surface ofthe pad means adjacent its side edges;

slitting both folded side margins intermediate a crotch region and endedges of the diaper from said fold lines toward the side edges of saidpad means defining recessed portions of the folded side margins;

providing a barrier in the folded side margins intermediate the sideedges of the pad means and the slits to prevent leakage from the padmeans through the slits;

folding edge panels having said recessed portions over the front surfaceof the pad means along spaced longitudinally extending fold lines in thepad means; and

securing the edge panels to the front surface of the pad meansintermediate the spaced fold lines.

24. The method of claim 23 including the step of further slitting thefolded side margins generally parallel to and spaced from the side edgesof the pad means to define cut-out portions of the side margins.

25. The method of claim 23 including the step of folding flaps in theside margins defined by the slitting step over the front surface of thepad means.

1. A disposable diaper, comprising: an absorbent pad assembly having apair of side edges, a front surface, and a back surface; a fluidimpervious backing sheet having a pair of side edges and a width greaterthan the width of said pad assembly, said backing sheet covering theback surface of the pad assembly and having lateral side marginsextending past the side edges of the pad assembly, said side margins ofthe backing sheet being folded over and secured to the front of thediaper with the side edges of the backing sheet being located in theproximity of the side edges of the pad assembly and with the folded overside margins defining side panels of the diaper, said side panels havingrecessed portions in the crotch region of the diaper for conformabilityof the diaper to the shape of the infant''s legs, said side panels withsaid recessed portions each being folded over and secured to the frontsurface of the pad assembly in the crotch region of the diaper.
 2. Thediaper of claim 1 wherein said pad assembly includes a fluid pervioustop sheet extending between the side edges of the absorbent padassembly.
 3. The diaper of claim 1 wherein edge portions of said backingsheet adjacent its side edges overlie the front surface of the padassembly.
 4. The diaper of claim 3 wherein said edge portions aresecured to the front surface of said pad assembly.
 5. The diaper ofclaim 1 including barrier means in said side panels preventing leakagethrough said recessed portions.
 6. The diaper of claim 5 wherein saidbarrier means comprises heat seal lines in said side panels.
 7. Thediaper of claim 5 wherein said barrier means comprises sealing means insaid side panels extending along the side edges of said pad assembly. 8.The diaper of claim 5 wherein said barrier means comprises sealing meansextending along edges defined by said recessed portions.
 9. The diaperof claim 1 wherein said pad assembly includes an absorbent pad having agenerally rectangular shape.
 10. The diaper of claim 1 wherein the padassembly includes an absorbent pad having a pair of opposed sectionsextending into said side panels adjacent longitudinal ends of thediaper.
 11. The diaper of claim 1 wherein said side panels have a pairof side edges, and each of the side panels has a pair of spaced slitsextending from the side edges of the side panels toward the pad assemblywith the inner ends of said slits being spaced from the side edges ofthe pad assembly, said slits at least partially defining said recessedportions of the side panels.
 12. The diaper of claim 11 wherein saiddiaper has a pair of end edges connecting the side edges of the sidepanels, and each of said slits is located intermediate the longitudinalmid-point and an end edge of the diaper.
 13. The diaper of claim 11wherein said diaper has a pair of end edges connecting the side edges ofthe side panels, and said slits define obtuse angles with the side edgesof the side panels taken intermediate the slits and end edges of thediaper.
 14. The diaper of claim 11 wherein said side panels include asecond slit extending between the inner ends of said spaced slits, saidspaced and second slits defining cut-out portions in the crotch regionof the diaper.
 15. The diaper of claim 11 wherein said spaced slitsdefine flaps in said side panels, with said flaps being folded over thefront surface of the pad assembly.
 16. The diaper of claim 1 whereinsaid side panels are folded along longitudinally Extending fold lines inthe diaper, and said fold lines are located intermediate the side edgesof the absorbent pad assembly.
 17. The diaper of claim 1 wherein saidfolded over side panels comprise a pair of side flaps including aportion of said pad assembly.
 18. A disposable diaper, comprising: agenerally rectancular absorbent pad assembly having a pair of sideedges, a front surface, and a back surface; a generally rectangularbacking sheet having a pair of side edges and a width greater than thewidth of the pad assembly, said backing sheet covering the back surfaceof the pad assembly and having lateral side margins extending past theside edges of the pad assembly, said side margins comprising a doublelayer of fluid impervious sheet and having edge portions adjacent theside edges of the backing sheet secured to the front surface of the padassembly, said double side margins defining side panels of the backingsheet extending on opposed sides of the pad assembly, said side panelshaving a pair of spaced slits intermediate the crotch region and endedges of the diaper at least partially defining displaced portions inthe crotch region of the diaper generally conforming to the contour ofan infant''s legs; barrier means in the side panels preventing leakagethrough said displaced portions; said side panels with said displacedportions being folded over the front surface of the pad assembly anddefining fluid receiving pockets; and means for securing the side panelsto the front surface of the pad assembly in the crotch region of thediaper.
 19. The diaper of claim 18 wherein said side panels include asecond slit extending between inner ends of said spaced slits anddefining cut-out portions in the crotch region of the diaper.
 20. Thediaper of claim 18 wherein said spaced slits define a pair of flaps insaid side panels, said flaps being folded over the front surface of thepad assembly.
 21. A disposable diaper, comprising: an absorbent padhaving a pair of side edges, a front surface, and a back surface, a pairof waistline portions, and a pair of opposed sections in said waistlineportions; and a fluid impervious backing sheet having a pair of sideedges and a width greater than the width of said pad, said backing sheetcovering the back surface of the pad and having lateral side marginsextending past the side edges of the pad, said side margins of thebacking sheet being folded over and secured to the front of the diaperwith the side edges of the backing sheet being located in the proximityof the side edges of the pad and with the folded over side marginsdefining side panels of the diaper, said side panels having recessedportions in the crotch region of the diaper for conformability of thediaper to the shape of the infant''s legs, and said opposed sections ofthe pad extending into said side panels.
 22. A disposable diaper,comprising: an absorbent pad assembly having an absorbent pad, a pair ofside edges, a pair of end edges connecting said side edges, a pair ofwaistband portions adjacent said end edges and a crotch portiontherebetween, a longitudinally extending central panel, and a pair ofedge panels folded over and secured to a front surface of the centralpanel in said crotch region with lateral side margins of said padextending into said edge panels; and a fluid impervious backing sheetcovering a back surface of the central and edge panels, said backingsheet extending past the side edges of the edge panels and covering atleast a portion of the front surface of the edge panels intermediate theedge and central panels, said backing sheet having a pair of doubledretaining panels extending from opposed side edges of the edge panels ineach of said waistband portions for securing the diaper about an infant.23. A method of making a disposable diaper, comprising the steps of:covering the back surface of an absorbent pad means with a fluidimpervious backing sheet having a greater width than the pad means;folding lateral side margins of the backing sheet along longitudinallyextending fold lines intermediate side edges of the pad means and sideedges of the backing sheet; securing edge portions of the folded sidemargins to a front surface of the pad means adjacent its side edges;slitting both folded side margins intermediate a crotch region and endedges of the diaper from said fold lines toward the side edges of saidpad means defining recessed portions of the folded side margins;providing a barrier in the folded side margins intermediate the sideedges of the pad means and the slits to prevent leakage from the padmeans through the slits; folding edge panels having said recessedportions over the front surface of the pad means along spacedlongitudinally extending fold lines in the pad means; and securing theedge panels to the front surface of the pad means intermediate thespaced fold lines.
 24. The method of claim 23 including the step offurther slitting the folded side margins generally parallel to andspaced from the side edges of the pad means to define cut-out portionsof the side margins.
 25. The method of claim 23 including the step offolding flaps in the side margins defined by the slitting step over thefront surface of the pad means.